- Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
- Registered nurses typically: Record patients' medical histories and symptoms
- Give patients medicines and treatments
- Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute to existing plans
- Observe patients and record the observations
- Consult with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Operate and monitor medical equipment
- Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results
- Teach patients and their families how to manage their illnesses or injuries
- Explain what to do at home after treatment
- Registered nurses may spend a lot of time walking, bending, stretching, and standing.
- They are vulnerable to back injuries because they must often lift and move patients.
- The work of registered nurses may put them in close contact with people who have infectious diseases, and they often come in contact with potentially harmful and hazardous drugs and other substances.
- Registered nurses must follow strict, standardized guidelines to guard against diseases and other dangers, such as radiation, accidental needle sticks, or the chemicals they use to sterilize instruments.
- RN’s sometimes work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease. They might also run general health screenings or immunization clinics, blood drives, or other outreach programs.
- They may work as nurse educators, healthcare consultants, public policy advisors, researchers, hospital administrators, salespeople for pharmaceutical and medical supply companies, or as medical writers and editors.
- RN’s need a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program
- Bachelor's degree programs usually include more training in the physical and social sciences, communication, leadership, and critical thinking, which is becoming more important as nursing practice becomes more complex.
- They also offer more clinical experience in nonhospital settings.
- A bachelor's degree or higher is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching.
- RN’s must also become licensed by passing a national licensing examination.
- To become licensed, nurses must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN.
- Critical-thinking skills. Registered nurses must be able to assess changes in the health state of patients, including when to take corrective action and when to make referrals.
- Compassion. Registered nurses should be caring and sympathetic, characteristics that are valuable when treating patients.
- Detail oriented. Registered nurses must be responsible and detail oriented because they must make sure that patients get the correct treatments and medicines at the right time.
- Emotional stability. Registered nurses need emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.
- Organizational skills. Nurses often work with multiple patients with various health needs, and organizational skills are critical to ensure the patient is given proper care.
- Patience. Registered nurses should be patient so they can provide quality care under stressful or hectic circumstances.
- Speaking skills. Registered nurses must be able to talk effectively with patients to correctly assess their health conditions.
- Nurses need to clearly explain how to take medication or give other instructions. They must be able to work in teams with other health professionals and communicate the patients’ needs.
- The median annual wage of registered nurses was $64,690 in May 2010
- Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average
- Technological advancements, an increased emphasis on preventative care, and the large aging baby-boomer population who will demand more healthcare services as they live longer and more active lives.
- As the largest healthcare occupation, registered nurses held about 2.7 million jobs in 2010. The industries that employed the most registered nurses in 2010 were as follows:
- General medical and surgical hospitals; private 48%
- Offices of physicians 8
- General medical and surgical hospitals; local 6
- Home health care services 5
- Nursing care facilities 5
- Most registered nurses work in well-lit, comfortable healthcare facilities. Home health and public health nurses travel to patients' homes, schools, community centers, and other sites.
- Some registered nurses work in correctional facilities, schools, summer camps, and nurses often work with the military.
- The remainder worked mainly in government agencies, administrative and support services, and educational services.
- Some move frequently, traveling in the United States and throughout the world to help care for patients in places where there are not enough healthcare workers.
- With experience, good performance, and continuous education they can move to other settings or be promoted to positions with more responsibility.
- Because patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities need round-the-clock care, nurses in these settings usually work in rotating shifts, covering all 24 hours.
- They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be on call.
- Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.
- Registered nurses' duties and titles often depend on where they work and the patients they work with. They can focus on:
- A specific health condition, such as a diabetes management nurse who helps patients with diabetes or an oncology nurse who helps cancer patients
- A specific part of the body, such as a dermatology nurse working with patients who have skin problems
- A specific group of people, such as a geriatric nurse who works with the elderly or a pediatric nurse who works with children and teens
- A specific workplace, such as an emergency or trauma nurse who works in a hospital or stand-alone emergency department
- A school nurse working in an elementary, middle, or high school rather than in a hospital or doctor's office
- Some registered nurses combine one or more of these specialties
- Addiction nurses care for patients who need help to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other substances.
- Cardiovascular nurses treat patients with heart disease and people who have had heart surgery.
- Critical care nurses work in intensive care units in hospitals, providing care to patients with serious, complex, and acute illnesses and injuries that need very close monitoring and treatment.
- Genetics nurses provide screening, counseling, and treatment of patients with genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease.
- Neonatology nurses take care of newborn babies.
- Nephrology nurses treat patients who have kidney-related health issues that are attributable to diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse, or other causes.
- Rehabilitation nurses care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities.
- Advanced practice registered nurses may provide primary and specialty care, and, in most states, they may prescribe medicines.
- All states specifically define requirements for registered nurses in these four advanced practice roles:
- Clinical nurse specialists provide direct patient care and expert consultations in one of many nursing specialties, such as psychiatric-mental health.
- Nurse anesthetists provide anesthesia and related care before and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. They also provide pain management and emergency services.
- Nurse-midwives provide care to women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, prenatal care, assistance in labor and delivery, and care of newborns.
- Nurse practitioners serve as primary and specialty care providers, providing a blend of nursing and primary care services to patients and families.
- Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (known as LPNs or LVNs) provide basic nursing care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.
- Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which usually takes 1 year
- They also must pass an exam and get a license before they can work
- The median annual wage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $40,380 in May 2010.
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